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expedition yacht seal

voyaging through the south pacific
& new zealand towards alaska

piloting private expeditions in antarctica & south georgia

SEAL near Cape Horn (photo Skip Novak)

"... a Cape Horner for the 21st century ..." Ocean Navigator, 2007

"... Come, my friends. 'T is not too late to seek a newer world ..."

After spending most of the last 24 years sailing in Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn, and South Georgia, Hamish Laird is one of the most experienced skippers in the region, and he has put that knowledge into all the details of SEAL.

We're heading towards Alaska and the Northwest Passage, but it seems crazy to skip New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands while we're "in the neighborhood," so we're making a detour in that direction for next year.

If you're heading towards Antarctica or South Georgia in your own yacht, Hamish is again available for piloting.

If your heart is set on visiting Antarctica, South Georgia, or Cape Horn, feel free to contact us for advice on available yachts.

-- Hamish & Kate Laird

"Both [Kate and Hamish] are first-class seamen. I quickly develop a great respect for their quiet competence, their knowledge of the boat, and their love of the area."
-- Peter Nielsen in Sail, November 2007

"It is not hard to imagine sailing to Antarctica or any other place on earth aboard Seal." -- Andy O'Grady in Ocean Navigator, March-April 2007

latest news from SEAL:

17 January, 2011

After nearly a quarter century in the Southern Ocean, sailing to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia, Hamish is looking over the horizon to explore new waters. Our plan for this season is to head up the Chilean channels, across the Pacific, perhaps via Easter Island, and then to Polynesia for a few months. After that, we are looking forward to visiting Southern New Zealand and Australia for some more high latitude sailing, before crossing the tropics again for Alaska. And after that? The Northwest Passage, Greenland, and of course the Southern Ocean beckon again.

Sail to Antarctica

Sail to South Georgia

our February-April trip from Puerto Williams, Chile to Puerto Montt, Chile

Email or phone for more information.

all pages © Kate & Hamish Laird 1999-2011